A Two Thousand Dollar Nebraska Land Purchase Leads to a Federal Fraud Case

The speaker on the wall gave a sudden, sharp pop, followed by a high-pitched squeal that made Miller wince and pull his headphones away from his ears. He turned a dial, and the noise settled back into a low, steady hiss. “That was the elevator floor relay,” Miller said, his voice tense. “Someone just bypassed…

“A surprise,” I said, the word tasting like copper in my mouth. “He also asked if your security system had a backup generator,” Lucia said, closing her leather case with a sharp snap. The sound echoed through the quiet kitchen, flat and final. “I need to make a phone call,” I said. Lucia picked up…

In the distance, the tall windows of the gymnasium were fully lit, casting a bright, white glow across the asphalt parking lot. I could see the silhouettes of cars turning into the main entrance, their headlights sweeping across the brick facade. I reached down and smoothed the green fabric panel over my chest, my fingers…

“Are you sure you want to go through with this?” Linda asked. “If Troy has already found those slips and destroyed them, we won’t have enough to prove the felony.” “The slips are still there,” Carter said. “How do you know?” Linda asked. “Because Troy doesn’t think anyone is looking,” Carter said. “He thinks the…

“We only need the signature page for now,” Tilly said. “The one with the notary’s seal.” Mr. Vance paused, looking over his half-glasses. “May I ask why?” “We have a delivery to make,” Tilly said. By two o’clock, we were back in the cramped kitchen of the rental cottage. The house was cold, and the…

The waitress set a cup of chamomile tea between us, the steam rising in thin curls. It had cost three dollars at the counter, a price that seemed too high for water and a bag of leaves. “The house is very quiet,” Brian said. He rubbed his temples with his index fingers, a habit he…